Kelso 47-year-old accused of raping five women over the last 30 years

Ian Ramsay faced a total of 35 charges during an appearance in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, August 3.

Those alleged offences include rape, sexual assault by penetration, assault with intent to rape, sexual assault, coercing a woman to look at a sexual image and voyeurism.

They are said to have been committed mainly in Kelso and Jedburgh between 1990 and June this year and to have involved eight different women.

He is also charged with stalking, assault, abusive behaviour and motoring offences.

Ramsay, of Maxmill Park in Kelso, made no plea and has been remanded in custody.

Prior to this week’s hearing, he had made private appearances at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on two other separate petitions including an allegation of assault to severe injury and permanent disfigurement and a complaint of stalking.